Nupes have been urged to contribute to the development of the country in the new year.
Prince Emmanuel Akamisoko Dauda Shelika, the convener, Nupe Natives of Lokoja, made the disclosure at the end of year 2023 cultural activities.
Prince Shelika, who described Nupes as a people who are phenomenal, said Nupe people are owners of Lokoja, stressing that “Lokoja is Nupe and Nupe is Lokoja”.
Speaking on the sidelines of the 2023 Nupe Natives of Lokoja cultural activities, Prince Shelika lamented the development in Lokoja, a place that once served as the nation’s administrative capital, and called for concerted effort in ensuring that it takes it rightful place in national development.
Prince Shelika said the essence of the coming together of the Nupes of Lokoja was geared towards bringing the State capital to it rightful position by the original owners. He lamented that with the history of Lokoja, not much has happened in terms of development.
He also lamented a situation where children of Nupes, who own Lokoja, are now scavenging in other cities, having lost their rightful places as owners of the land.
He said the time to stop the slide in downturn is now.
Prince Shelika called for the unity of the Nupe people of Lokoja, adding that it is the resolve of the Nupes to come together towards contributing to the development of the country.
“Lokoja is the earliest cradle of Nupe civilization. Over the years, a lot has happened that has almost sent Nupe’s into oblivion in their land of Lokoja.
“Interestingly, Nupe has shades as branches. We have the Bassa-nge, Kakandas, Eggans, Kupa, Ganagana, all of these are shades of Nupe. Our today’s gathering is made up of all the segments.
“The essence of our gathering here today is to ensure that we celebrate our culture and for our people to appreciate the journey so far in our course to bringing ourselves together in taking our rightful position in the place of Lokoja.
“It is unfortunate that the Nupes at the home front in Lokoja are not well positioned. This is because over the years, we have been decimated into shades.
“We are looking towards partnering with the government to see that Lokoja is brought to it position in terms of infrastructure and other areas of development,” he said.
Prince Shelika urged younger Nupe parents to teach their children the dialect and culture. He said one of the 14 aims and point agenda of the coming together of the Nupe natives of Lokoja is to encourage the speaking of the language and to urge every Nupe child to speak the language.
Various cultural troupes were on hand to perform at the end of year, with display of acrobatics and several masquerade groups on hand to add colour to the occasion.
